MD Anderson questions...

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Mama G
Mama G Member Posts: 762
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone had any experience? Or anywhere else as far as that goes? I'm in Florida, so I have Shands, U of M, and Moffitt, but I want the BEST for this battle. Also, whichever one my ins covers the most$$#$ and I hear it's MD Anderson.

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  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #2
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    I haven't gone that route,
    I haven't gone that route, but I am still thinking about it. My boss' husband has leukemia and was first seen here in Louisiana. Then they decided to go to MD Anderson. They just went to the website and made an appt online. Their insurance has covered it, no problem.

    They have been pleased with their decision. However, he is still on the exact same treatment that he was originally put on locally.
  • m_azingrace
    m_azingrace Member Posts: 399
    #3
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    MD Anderson
    It is my understanding that MD Anderson is only in Houston TX, except for their facility in Albuquerque, NM. [fortunately for me, I am within driving distance]. They are partners with my insurance group, and my coverage is excellent. I am very pleased with the quality of the care I'm receiving.
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #4
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    m_azingrace said:

    MD Anderson
    It is my understanding that MD Anderson is only in Houston TX, except for their facility in Albuquerque, NM. [fortunately for me, I am within driving distance]. They are partners with my insurance group, and my coverage is excellent. I am very pleased with the quality of the care I'm receiving.

    Cypress, that's one of the things I wonder about
    If it is the same treatment, why not just stay home? I wonder if they could evaluate your situation from here and determine whether they would need further testing/ect.
  • pscheer
    pscheer Member Posts: 56 Member
    #5
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    I went to and am currently
    I went to and am currently going to MD Anderson. And I work at a different hospital. MD Anderson offers different things than the hospital where I work. I would have recieved different chemo where I work. Also, MD Anderson has more clinical trials. Ask me anything, I'll be happy to answer. I love MD Anderson. My insurance is BCBS.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #6
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    Mama G said:

    Cypress, that's one of the things I wonder about
    If it is the same treatment, why not just stay home? I wonder if they could evaluate your situation from here and determine whether they would need further testing/ect.

    I hope that MD might offer
    I hope that MD might offer you more Mama G. Keep fighting!

    Sending prayers and hugs!
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #7
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    mama G I sent you a PM

    mama G I sent you a PM
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #8
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    natly15 said:

    mama G I sent you a PM

    mama G I sent you a PM

    Mama G I did PM too
    Hugs
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #9
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    I live fairly near M.D.
    I live fairly near M.D. Anderson and when I was diagnosed I referred myself there by phone and they took the info and called me the very next morning. They saw me for an appt about a month later but I am stage 1 with a small place less than a cm but Her2
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #10
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    I live fairly near M.D.
    I live fairly near M.D. Anderson and when I was diagnosed I referred myself there by phone and they took the info and called me the very next morning. They saw me for an appt about a month later but I am stage 1 with a small place less than a cm but Her2
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #11
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    They have a great reputation .
    I referred myself by phone after my diagnosis since I have such a strong family history of cancer--3 generations and I live in the area. I called, gave the info they wanted and someone called me back the very next morning. I would ask them how long it would be before they could see you with your diagnosis. They saw me in about a month and I am having to wait another 6 weeks for surgery but I think that depending on what is going on with you maybe it moves faster. They have special rates on hotels and have an attached Rotary House there also. I would help you out in any way you need too. Every surgeon and oncologist there is one of the best in their field. You will get excellent care there but it can feel slow--but I am the restless type :)! The facility is very nice and everything is basically under one roof so to speak. Breast cancer is handled on the 5th floor and their two hospitals are attached.
    Best of luck and my prayers are with you!
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #12
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    PinkPearl said:

    I live fairly near M.D.
    I live fairly near M.D. Anderson and when I was diagnosed I referred myself there by phone and they took the info and called me the very next morning. They saw me for an appt about a month later but I am stage 1 with a small place less than a cm but Her2

    oh for heaven's sake
    I don't know how the heck I posted this 3 times!! I am new to this site really-just one or two posts. Sorry everyone!
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #13
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    Mama G said:

    Cypress, that's one of the things I wonder about
    If it is the same treatment, why not just stay home? I wonder if they could evaluate your situation from here and determine whether they would need further testing/ect.

    They don't go often. I
    They don't go often. I think they feel reassured by the name and also they may want to participate in a trial if one becomes available.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #14
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    m_azingrace said:

    MD Anderson
    It is my understanding that MD Anderson is only in Houston TX, except for their facility in Albuquerque, NM. [fortunately for me, I am within driving distance]. They are partners with my insurance group, and my coverage is excellent. I am very pleased with the quality of the care I'm receiving.

    My boss and her hubbie do go
    My boss and her hubbie do go to Houston which is about a 6 hr drive from here.

    However, East Jefferson Hospital in Metairie, La is now affiliated with MD Anderson:

    http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/resources-for-professionals/clinical-tools-and-resources/physicians-network/products/physicians-network-products.html
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #15
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    My Sister was a survivor
    My Sister was a survivor from 1999-2003. She went to MD Anderson in Houston, TX. She was very pleased with her treatment there. She participated in many clinical trials, so she was getting the best and brightest of everything. Not only did that help her cover the expense of the treatments, I believe the treatments kept her with us as long as she was, and it gave her a great sense of purpose that she was able to help her fellow survivors and those of us who have come after. My primary memory of the facility is that it is a HUGE place and was not easy to find our way around in (they were doing remodelling on the wing she went to during the times that I accompanied her). I would assume that an M.D. Anderson facility in another location would provide the same high quality of treatment that my sister had in Houston. If it is close to where you live and your insurance covers it, I would say go for it.

    Take care, seof
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #16
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    seof said:

    My Sister was a survivor
    My Sister was a survivor from 1999-2003. She went to MD Anderson in Houston, TX. She was very pleased with her treatment there. She participated in many clinical trials, so she was getting the best and brightest of everything. Not only did that help her cover the expense of the treatments, I believe the treatments kept her with us as long as she was, and it gave her a great sense of purpose that she was able to help her fellow survivors and those of us who have come after. My primary memory of the facility is that it is a HUGE place and was not easy to find our way around in (they were doing remodelling on the wing she went to during the times that I accompanied her). I would assume that an M.D. Anderson facility in another location would provide the same high quality of treatment that my sister had in Houston. If it is close to where you live and your insurance covers it, I would say go for it.

    Take care, seof

    It is always good to get a
    It is always good to get a second opinion and know all your options. I have heard good things about MDA, also the doctor who wrote Anti Cancer is doing integrative medicine there too. best of both worlds
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    #17
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    I have a friend in Calif.
    I have a friend in Calif. that went to MD Anderson in Houston and he raves about how they are the best. I've heard only good things about them. Keep us posted on your progress. Hugs!
  • crselby
    crselby Member Posts: 441 Member
    #18
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    now in the Phoenix area
    MD Anderson is opening a breast cancer clinic in the east valley area of metro Phoenix. I went to an informational presentation of theirs about a year ago. I haven't heard that it's open yet.

    My rad onc TRAINED some Houston MD Anderson docs and nurses in brachytherapy techniques. I know this because he asked me to come speak to them about my multicatheter experience and I stayed for the rest of his presentation that day. He is not affiliated with them in any way. He and his wife, who is also a rad onc, are the authorities on breast patient radiation, especially brachytherapy, in the country, yet their office is small, very nice, and they are compassionate, unimposing people! I am grateful to have stumbled upon them. Arizona Breast Cancer Specialists
    ~~Connie~~
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #19
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    MamaG, what about Mayo
    MamaG, what about Mayo Clinic? They have a hospital and clinic here in Jacksonville and also have a large breast cancer research area. Just a thought.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #20
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    MyTurnNow said:

    MamaG, what about Mayo
    MamaG, what about Mayo Clinic? They have a hospital and clinic here in Jacksonville and also have a large breast cancer research area. Just a thought.

    My mom received treatment in
    My mom received treatment in Orlando, if you want i can ask her who she went to.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #21
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    MyTurnNow said:

    MamaG, what about Mayo
    MamaG, what about Mayo Clinic? They have a hospital and clinic here in Jacksonville and also have a large breast cancer research area. Just a thought.

    Mayo clinic is excellent!
    Mayo clinic is excellent! You might check them out too Mama G.

    Hugs, Debby

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